Why does hot weather cause my ankles to swell?

Swelling of ankles during hot weather can be due to accumulated fluid. If your lymphatic system or your venous system have valves within the tubes that don't open and shut like they should, you can get swelling in the ankles. It can also be caused due to standing for too long or wearing tight socks.

Hot weather puts a strain on your kidneys processing extra waste. You drink more liquids and use more energy sweating and breathing more rapidly in an attempt to keep cool. Often you take in more salt in food. If the kidneys can't keep up fluids build up in the body and can cause swelling in the feet and ankles.

Hot temperatures can exacerbate edema - which is the swelling of the extremities. There are many reasons for edema. Some of these reasons include: high blood pressure, premenstrual syndrome, high salt diet, pregnancy, kidney or liver disease, leg vein weakness.

Heat causes the body to expand. circulation rate increasing which could be bad for heart problems needing to pump more blood and dehydration problems with losing water through sweat and not replacing it.